Warm-up Helps First-year Students Hit Ground Running

"The first year at EPFL is a major step forward - it can feel like you're diving into the sea with a tsunami on the way!" says Candice Guilbaud, speaking from experience. She's a master's student in management of technology at EPFL and the president of Students4Students (S4S), where she hopes to ease the transition to university for EPFL freshmen. S4S operates as a commission within EPFL's general student association (AGEPoly). Its week-long preparatory program - given free of charge every year - has proven to be a hit, as the number of participants soared from 50 when it was introduced in 2021 to around 600 today.

It's a good introduction to both the academic and social side of EPFL. The program is well structured and organized. The classes helped me in linear algebra in particular, and I was glad to get familiar with the Lausanne campus before school officially started. The people were very friendly and helpful in getting us oriented. It's this open mindset that I appreciated the most.

"Some private-sector organizations offer EPFL preparatory programs, but they're very expensive and the content isn't always on target," says Pierre Emmel, a master's student in robotics who's also the S4S vice president. "With S4S, we give incoming freshmen a free alternative with classes that are tailored to all majors." For Guilbaud, the program is also about putting new students at ease and "giving them the impression that they're joining a family at EPFL." Diane Eline, who took part in the S4S program in 2024, agrees. "It's a good introduction to both the academic and social side of EPFL," she says. "The program is well structured and organized. The classes helped me in linear algebra in particular, and I was glad to get familiar with the Lausanne campus before school officially started. The people were very friendly and helpful in getting us oriented. It's this open mindset that I appreciated the most. And of course, we all loved the snacks! I made some real friends - during the winter break, I went on vacation with the seven other people in my group."

Activating the brain

The week-long program consists of classes and exercise sessions held from 8am to 4pm, followed by workshops that participants can choose from to learn more about EPFL student clubs and campus services. The classes and exercise sessions are given by student volunteers recruited by S4S - around 130 volunteers helped put on this year's program. The S4S team also developed an app that participants can use to manage their time. "The preparatory classes are important for students - not so much for the content as for getting their minds back into the various topics," says Prof. Simone Deparis, who heads EPFL's Propaedeutic Center. "It's similar to athletes who get back in shape before the season begins - they have to warm up by doing specific exercises, but without pushing too hard."

Over the past few months I spent around 20 hours per week on S4S, but I don't mind because it's a useful program with a positive impact. I feel like I'm able to lighten students' burden during a stressful time.

The Propaedeutic Center provides logistical and financial support to S4S, but otherwise the program is designed entirely by EPFL students. They also select the content for the 20 classes given during the week. "We have teaching managers as well as class managers who supervise the student volunteers giving the classes," says Guilbaud. "And the assistants are required to take the training class given by EPFL's Teaching Support Center (CAPE). Those of us on the S4S management team oversee the program to make sure it all goes smoothly. Personally, I have to draw on a broad range of skills as the S4S president - I didn't know what I was signing up for! Coordinating 17 committee members over an entire year adds significantly to your mental load. There are many managerial aspects to learn. You need to keep an open mind, listen to the other committee members and work together to find the right direction to go in."

Motivated by making a difference

For his part, Emmel appreciated the opportunity to learn how to manage his time and find common ground with colleagues. These are key transferable skills for students to acquire - not just for their degree programs at EPFL but also for their careers.

However, the S4S team all agrees that their main motivation is to "make as many people happy as possible and ensure that those of us on the committee as well as our staff are proud of what they're doing." Guilbaud adds that "last year I was on the staff, and at one point I bumped into a group of students who had been through the program and who said, 'what you're doing is fantastic.' Over the past few months I spent around 20 hours per week on S4S, but I don't mind because it's a useful program with a positive impact. I feel like I'm able to lighten students' burden during a stressful time."

Emmel, who took part in the first year of the S4S program, says: "I had a lot of concerns and questions as an incoming freshman, and the program gave me the answers. It was very reassuring and a great refresher on the basics." With S4S, new students can dive into university without doing a belly flop. But it's up to them to keep the pace so they don't get carried away by the tide.